An ex-minister who served under Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet has alleged that the former President had plans in place to obtain a court order to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from announcing the result of the 2015 presidential election.

Jonathan has been celebrated in Nigeria and across the globe for reportedly calling to congratulate his opponent then, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

The former President in his book – My Transition Hours, narrated what happened at that critical moment.

He named four aides who advised him to concede defeat adding that he ignored ministers who told him otherwise.

“They were recommending sundry alternatives, but I was quiet in the midst of their discussions. I hugged my thought, figuring out how to do that which was best for the country. My personal interest was receding rapidly and the interest of Nigeria looming large.

“I excused myself and left the sitting room. I walked into my study. Even there, my mantra was a strong circle around me, supporting and comforting me. Let the country survive. Let democracy survive. My political ambition is not worth people being ‘soaked in blood,” Jonathan added.

According to The Cable, the minister, who refused to be identified described Jonathan’s narration as unfair and petty, adding that

“The impression the former president is trying to create is that the people came to tell him not to concede. In truth, Jonathan was being persuaded by a former south-south governor not to concede, so some ministers were quickly invited to come and counter them.

“What would Okonjo-Iweala, Adoke and Chidoka be doing at the villa at that time if not that something was going wrong? Is Jonathan trying to say he was not involved in Elder Godsday Orubebe’s attempt to disrupt the announcement of the results?

Is Jonathan trying to claim innocence of a plot to secure a court injunction to stop INEC from further announcing the results? Jonathan needs to be a man of honour.”